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Rita MacNeil to be Inducted to the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame

Music

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Apr 16, 2021

Rita MacNeil to be Inducted to the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame

One of Canada’s finest music icons and First Lady of Cape Breton, Rita MacNeil, is the newest Inductee to the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame. Today, on the anniversary of her untimely passing, MacNeil’s legacy will be indelibly remembered with a permanent place in the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame at the National Music Centre in Calgary. A special tribute is planned for the 2021 East Coast Music Awards Show on Thursday, May 6, taking place in the songwriter’s hometown of Cape Breton, NS. The induction presentation will include a musical tribute performed by a cast of former bandmates, friends and more.

Some of MacNeil’s best-known songs often spoke of Nova Scotia, however, her cross-genre appeal and immense talent resonated with Canadians across the country and globally. With her shy persona, MacNeil endeared herself to grassroots audiences nationwide and enjoyed commercial success despite not conforming to the music industry’s expectations. Her melody-driven, heartfelt songwriting resisted classification – sometimes country, sometimes hinting of folk, gospel and blues.

As MacNeil once told the CBC: “The people in this country have given me such a career and loved me back so much.”

Before reaching commercial success, MacNeil was involved with the women’s movement in the early 1970s writing feminist protest songs. Gradually, her songwriting evolved into a broader folk-pop autobiographical style, and she performed for rallies, at coffeehouses, folk clubs, the Mariposa and other folk festivals.

She recorded three albums independently beginning with “Born a Woman” (1975), but it was “Flying On Your Own,” her 1986 debut album with Virgin Records, that became her commercial breakthrough. With the successful single Flying On Your Own and the double-platinum album of the same name, MacNeil won her first JUNO Award in 1987 as Most Promising Female Vocalist, and ECMA Female Recording of the Year in 1989-1990 and 1993.

A large part of MacNeil’s successes came with her compositions. More than 200 of her own songs are registered with Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI), and she was recognized in 2009 with SOCAN’s National Achievement Award. MacNeil often described her songwriting as arising from strong emotions for people or places, and has spoken of her songwriting technique as being unusual, with the music and lyrics coming together in her head simultaneously in the shape of songs.

1988’s Working Man, was inspired after a visit to Sydney Mines, and written as a tribute to the hardships and sacrifices of coal miners in Cape Breton – but it would serve an anthem for coal miners everywhere. The song, which she famously performed with the coal miners choir, The Men of the Deeps, soared to No. 11 in the U.K. She would continue to regularly perform with The Men of the Deeps, including at the 1989 JUNO Awards.

MacNeil became Canada’s top-selling country singer-songwriter in 1990 and 1991. Her highest charting single, We’ll Reach the Sky Tonight, earned SOCAN’s Country Award in 1991; and in the same year her homage to Cape Breton, Home I’ll Be, won the ECMA Song of the Year. In total, MacNeil has received 11 East Coast Music Awards, culminating with a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2005, making her the ECMA’s second most-winning female artist after Natalie MacMaster, and tied with Rose Cousins.

MacNeil’s highest charting single, We’ll Reach the Sky Tonight, earned SOCAN’s Country Award in 1991.

Her popular songs have been covered by the likes of Anne Murray, Tara MacLean, Matt Minglewood, The Elora Singers, The Elmer Iseler Singers, Celtic Thunder, Foster & Allen, and Mary K. Burke.

She also became a familiar face and beloved personality as host of her television variety show, “Rita and Friends,” which aired on CBC from 1994 to 1997. The show regularly drew millions of viewers and won a Gemini Award in 1996. MacNeil would continue to produce her own television specials, and make appearances on shows such as the “Royal Canadian Air Farce” and “Trailer Park Boys.”

She performed at the world’s fair during Vancouver’s Expo 86, and toured internationally at venues including the iconic Royal Albert Hall and Sydney Opera House. Having come far from her humble beginnings, MacNeil has earned membership in the Order of Canada and the Order of Nova Scotia, and was inducted posthumously to the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame in 2013.

ABOUT CANADIAN SONGWRITERS HALL OF FAME
The Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame (CSHF) honours and celebrates Canadian songwriters and those who’ve dedicated their lives to the legacy of music; and works to educate the public about these achievements. National and non-profit, the CSHF is guided by its own Board of Directors, who comprise both Anglophone and Francophone music creators and publishers, as well as representation from the record industry. In December of 2011, SOCAN (the Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada) acquired the CSHF. The Hall of Fame’s mandate aligns with SOCAN’s objectives as a songwriter and publisher membership-based organization. The CSHF continues to be run as a separate organization. www.cshf.ca

ABOUT STUDIO BELL, HOME OF THE NATIONAL MUSIC CENTRE
Studio Bell, home of the National Music Centre (NMC), is much more than a museum. A national catalyst for discovery, innovation and renewal through music, NMC is preserving and celebrating Canada’s music story inside its home at Studio Bell in Calgary’s East Village. With programming that includes on-site and outreach education programs, performances, artist incubation and exhibitions, NMC is inspiring a new generation of music lovers. For more information, please visit studiobell.ca.

ABOUT ECMA
The East Coast Music Association (ECMA) is a regional collaboration of people in the music industry of Atlantic Canada that fosters, develops and celebrates East Coast music and its artists locally, regionally, nationally and internationally. The ECMA annually produces the East Coast Music Awards: Festival & Conference, one of the top music industry events in Canada, inclusive of its International Export Buyers Program. The ECMA would like to acknowledge the financial support from the Province of Nova Scotia, Cape Breton Regional Municipality, FACTOR, MUSICACTION, and the Government of Canada through the Department of Canadian Heritage (Canada Music Fund). www.ecma.com.

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Media Contacts:

Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame:
Tran Nguyen, Centric PR
tran@centricpr.ca
c/ 416-220-4285

East Coast Music Awards:
Brendan MaGee, Front Porch Publicity
frontporchpublicity@gmail.com
c/ 506-447-1296

Lost Treasures of Rock ‘n Roll Legend Eddie Cochran Found

Music

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Apr 16, 2021

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Lost Treasures of Rock ‘n Roll Legend Eddie Cochran Found

Eddie Cochran is an American rock n’ roll legend from late 1950s and early 1960s, a contemporary of Elvis Presley with a particularly strong following in the UK. His life was tragically cut short when, after performing at the Bristol Hippodrome, England, he died in a car accident near Chippenham, Wiltshire on the 17th April 1960, aged just 21. A monument to Eddie marks the location of the crash at Rowden Hill.

The contents of ‘Eddie’s Room’ recently turned up in an abandoned storage locker in California that was sold for just $300 as it was considered junk! Now Eddie’s Room has found its way to the UK. UK and International Rock ‘n Roll musician, Sonny West, saw bits of Eddie Cochran memorabilia appearing on ‘eBay’ and made enquiries of the seller. Despite missing out on a few minor items, Sonny, who is one of the owners of Killertone Records UK, purchased the remainder of the collection in order to keep it together as a tribute to Eddie.

“To find all his personal possessions, home recordings of songs never heard, unseen photos and even his clothes, was like discovering an Aladdin’s Cave,” said Sonny. “There’s a huge untold story here, from birth to death.”

The collection also includes Eddie’s Gold Discs, family albums, fan club memorabilia, original artwork, unseen photos from his last tour and even love letters to Eddie from his fiancée, Sharon Sheeley.

Very small part of the ‘Eddies Room’ collection

Killertone Records plan to stage a travelling exhibition of ‘Eddie’s Room’ to celebrate his music and his talent, initially around the UK but eventually internationally. They aim to fund the exhibition by releasing limited amounts of fan club memorabilia and original recordings later in the year.

Eddie Cochran’s influence on rock n’ roll is undeniable. Best known for immortal hits such as ‘Summertime Blues’, ‘C’mon Everybody’ and ‘Three Steps to Heaven’ (released posthumously), Eddie is credited with being an inspiration to many UK musicians, from John Lennon and Paul McCartney of the Beatles to Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page. Eddie’s music has been covered by numerous bands; The Who, the Sex Pistols and Bruce Springsteen to name but a few. Ahead of his time and often termed the original ‘Guitar Hero’, he was a creative song writer and music producer, experimenting with multi-track recording and over-dubbing long before others. He was one of the first to use an unwound third string on his guitar, which allowed him to ‘bend’ notes up a whole tone.

You can find out more about Eddie’s life, items to be released and the exhibition plans by signing up to Killertone Records newsletter at www.killertonerecords.co.uk

Eddie Cochran was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987.

H.E.R. Headlines 20th Anniversary Virtual Honda Civic Tour

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Apr 16, 2021

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H.E.R. Headlines 20th Anniversary Virtual Honda Civic Tour

The Honda Civic Tour returns for its 20^th Anniversary with a special two-stop virtual concert series, headlined by four-time Grammy Award winner, R&B singer-songwriting powerhouse and actress H.E.R. The 2021 Virtual Honda Civic Tour kicks off on April 28 at 5 p.m. PT on the Live Nation Channel on Twitch, where fans will get a special first look at the all-new 2022 Honda Civic Sedan during the livestreamed concert experience before it arrives in Honda dealerships nationwide this summer.

“I’m honored to join some of the biggest artists in the music industry in bringing my unique perspective to the stage for the Tour’s 20^th anniversary,” said H.E.R. “We have created a beautiful mixed reality world for fans of the Honda Civic Tour and I look forward to sharing my music, as well as a special first look for fans of the all-new 2022 Honda Civic.”

For the Honda Civic Tour April 28 livestream on Twitch, H.E.R. has planned a mixed reality experience for fans. H.E.R.’s upcoming performance pushes the boundaries of virtual concert technology with the first-ever, live mixed reality broadcast on an XR stage. Using a combination of live-action footage, a stage created with LED panels, and the powerful Unreal game engine, the artist is seamlessly integrated into Civic Tour’s virtual environment.

H.E.R. joins the likes of Maroon 5, OneRepublic, Nick Jonas & Demi Lovato, blink-182, Black Eyed Peas, One Direction and Charlie Puth as artists to perform on the Honda Civic Tour Stage.

Civic Tour fans will get a special first look at the all-new 2022 Honda Civic Sedan prior to H.E.R.’s virtual Civic Tour performance on April 28. The 2022 Honda Civic, on sale this summer, is the most fun-to-drive and technologically advanced Civic ever. Honda’s iconic Civic has long set the standard by which other compact cars are measured, and this new 11^th-generation Civic will raise the bar in every conceivable way – style, performance, safety features and technology.

For more information on the 2022 Civic Sedan, please visit: https://hondanews.com/en-US/honda-automobiles/releases/honda-offers-first-look-at-all-new-11th-generation-civic-sedan.

Civic Tour fans can enter for a chance to win an all-new 2022 Civic Sedan, exclusive virtual meet-and-greets with H.E.R. and more. The next virtual stop of the Honda Civic Tour will feature a “Remix” version of H.E.R.’s April 28 Twitch performance, with additional details to be announced. The 2021 Honda Civic Tour Presents H.E.R. is produced by Live Nation.

Honda has a deep connection and long-standing commitment to music, including presenting two decades of Civic Tour. Since 2001, Honda Civic Tour has provided more than five million fans with exclusive interactive concert experiences and behind the scenes access to unforgettable music performances.

In addition to the Civic Tour, the brand invests in its broader Honda Stage music initiative through premier music festival partnerships, including Austin City Limits and Governor’s Ball, as well as offering online music programming, performances, exclusive digital content, artist interviews and more to fans. To bring its music content to life, Honda works hand in hand with entertainment leaders including: Live Nation, Billboard, UPROXX, Universal Music Group and Vevo.

2021 Virtual Honda Civic Tour Schedule
Wednesday, April 28, 2021
5:00 p.m. PST: Honda Civic Tour Presents: H.E.R. Livestream Begins
Approximately 6:00 p.m. PST: 2022 Honda Civic Sedan Revealed

Second Virtual Civic Tour Stop
“Remix” version of H.E.R.’s April 28 Twitch Performance: additional details to be announced

For more information on the Honda Civic Tour, please visit Honda.com/Music/CivicTour.

American Foundation for the Blind Announces ‘Inclusive Power of Music’ Centennial Conversation

Music

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Apr 16, 2021

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The American Foundation for the Blind (AFB), in celebration of 100 years of creating a more inclusive world for people who are blind or visually impaired, launched a series of “Centennial Conversations”—curated webinars focused on the pressing issues and topics affecting the blind and low vision communities, pairing prominent speakers with younger voices. On Thursday, April 22 at 2 p.m. EDT, AFB presents Matthew Whitaker: The Inclusive Power of Music.

Matthew Whitaker is a multi-instrumentalist who taught himself to play piano at age 3, the Hammond B3 organ at age 9, and four years later he became the youngest artist to be endorsed by Hammond in its more than 80-year history. He was also named a Yamaha Artist at 15, becoming the youngest musician to join the stellar group of jazz pianists. Having just turned 20, Matthew is currently enrolled in the jazz studies program at Juilliard in New York City, the first person who is blind to be accepted in the program.

With AFB Major Gifts Specialist Melody Goodspeed guiding the conversation, the pair will discuss the power of combining music, technology, self-advocacy, and collaboration. The event is free, with required registration available at afb.org/InclusivePowerOfMusic.

As with all AFB centennial events, the Inclusive Power of Music will be an inclusive event – captions, ASL, audio description, and transcripts will be made available.

“Matthew’s music comes straight from his heart and I have learned a great deal from him,” Goodspeed said. “He tells a beautiful story in each note he plays and brings joy in challenging places. His musical prowess illustrates that we all need to take our unique gifts and apply them for the greater good.”

Future Centennial Conversations include:

Gratitude, Courage, and Joy: May 27, 2 p.m. EDT
Inclusion, Intersectionality, and the Future of Work: June 24, 2 p.m. EDT
Making Money Work: Including Disability in the Financial Equation: July 22, 2 p.m. EDT

Founded in 1921, the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) is a national nonprofit that creates a world of no limits for people who are blind or visually impaired. AFB mobilizes leaders, advances understanding, and champions impactful policies and practices using research and data. AFB is proud to steward the Helen Keller Archive, maintain and expand the digital collection, and honor the more than 40 years that Helen Keller worked tirelessly with AFB. Visit: www.afb.org

U.S. Remains Fastest-Growing Market for K-Pop’s Physical Album Sales; Reaches All-Time High in 2020

Music

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Apr 16, 2021

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Despite the clear decline of physical album sales across the globe, one genre continues to show stunning physical sales performance in the U.S. market. According to South Korea’s Gaon Music Chart and the Korea Customs Service, global K-Pop album sales jumped a whopping 60% globally between 2019 and 2020 — with a 90% increase in the United States alone.

This counter-trend is a phenomenon uniquely K-Pop, something attributable to both consumer behaviors of the fandom and the record-breaking performance of albums released by popular idol groups BTS, BLACKPINK, and more. 2020’s performance was so strong that, even with COVID-19’s economic impact, K-Pop’s physical sales still managed to enjoy a record year.

To support this growing album demand, K-Pop fandom platform theQoos officially launched commerce this month. Starting with the release of NCT Dream’s first studio album ‘Hot Sauce,’ U.S.-based users are now able to pre-order albums directly from theQoos’ online store.

Users can not only access a special discount through the mobile application, but group order incentives are also available. Additionally, each ‘Hot Sauce’ purchase brings fans closer to an opportunity to win a signed copy of NCT Dream’s 2017 EP ‘We Young.’

Meanwhile, NCT Dream is a unit of SM Entertainment boy group NCT, who has sold over 2.8 million copies of their 2020 two-part LP ‘Resonance’ – more than doubling album-equivalent sales of Taylor Swift’s ‘Folklore’ through physical sales alone. This number also made ‘Resonance’ the top-selling in SM’s history, breaking a 25-year-long record originally set by legend idol group H.O.T. As one of the first NCT releases following ‘Resonance,’ NCT Dream’s ‘Hot Sauce’ is among K-Pop’s most anticipated in 2021.

The commerce launch is the latest addition to theQoos, which also provides up-to-date idol news aggregation and an interactive social community. As the only U.S. platform dedicated exclusively to K-Pop’s rapidly-growing domestic fanbase, theQoos works to provide a service accommodating their users’ unique needs — including customizable news feeds, community boards and chatrooms, and exclusive fan Q&A events with trending K-Pop artists.

Lionel Richie Celebrates 25th Anniversary Of Milestone ‘Louder Than Words’ With Digital Deluxe On April 16

Music

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Apr 16, 2021

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Lionel Richie Celebrates 25th Anniversary Of Milestone ‘Louder Than Words’ With Digital Deluxe On April 16

While Lionel Richie and his American Idol colleagues continue their mission to discover music’s next superstar, today marks the 25th anniversary of Louder Than Words, the Top-30 Billboard album that ushered in a new chapter for one of the most successful Pop and R&B artists of all time. Island Def Jam Music Group/UMe will celebrate this era in Lionel Richie’s illustrious career with digital deluxe editions of multiple albums throughout 2021, including Just For You (May 7) and Time (June 25). Each of the bonus tracks on the digital deluxe editions of Louder Than Words, Just For You and Time will make their streaming debut.

Kicking off these releases will be the 25th anniversary expanded digital deluxe edition of Louder Than Words, Richie’s fourth solo studio album and first for Mercury/Island Records, originally available on April 16, 1996. Available here, Louder Than Words, which at the time was Richie’s first full album in 10 years, features “Don’t Wanna Lose You,” co-written by Lionel Richie, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. Also featured are “I Wanna Take You Down,” “Paradise,” “Climbing,” “Ordinary Girl,” and Lionel Richie’s work with Babyface and David Foster. The bonus tracks include rare Spanish and Italian language versions of “Still In Love,” the radio version of “Don’t Wanna Lose You,” and non-album cuts “What Do They Know” and “Now You’re Gone.” Louder Than Words enhances Richie’s smooth R&B style with traces of funk and hip-hop for an emotional journey through heartbreak, anticipation and romance that speaks volumes.

The expanded digital deluxe edition of Just For You, available on May 7, features three international bonus tracks and several multi-genre remixes of the title song, plus an exciting live version of Richie’s global favorite, “All Night Long (All Night),” recorded at London’s Wembley Stadium. Originally released on Island Records in 2004, Just For You showcases what has long been a Richie trademark: the ability to cross musical genres and defy boundaries to craft pop perfection. “I Still Believe” brings a touch of gospel to the power of a loving relationship. Elsewhere, from the wistful “Long Long Way To Go,” ever-hopeful “Just To Be With You Again,” orchestral “Time of Our Life,” featuring Lenny Kravitz and blues-rocker “Outrageous,” Lionel Richie effortlessly shifts from intimacy to anthemic.

That same month, on May 21, UMe will make available digitally for the first time in North America Lionel Richie’s original 2008 release, Symphonica in Rosso, an exciting live recording featuring Richie, backed by his band and a powerful orchestra, singing dramatic orchestral renditions and re-energized arrangements of his biggest hits at the Ziggo Dome in Amsterdam, Netherlands. In addition to head-turning versions of “Endless Love,” “Dancing on the Ceiling,” “Don’t Stop the Music,” Love Will Conquer All,” “Easy,” and many more, the album includes “Face in the Crowd,” a live duet with Dutch singer Trijntje Oosterhuis, who would go on to perform a studio version with Lionel Richie on his 2009 album Just Go.

Richie has composed some of music’s most popular songs, and on Time, originally a Mercury Records/Island Def Jam Music Group release in 1998, his insights are as relevant as ever. The lead track, for example, responded to gun violence, prejudice and lives taken from loved ones all too soon with a plea to a adopt more tolerant mindset and, perhaps, presciently, consider “Zoomin'” – an update of the Commodores’ classic “Zoom” – to a better place. From R&B gems (“I Hear Your Voice,” “Everytime”) to gentle ballads (“Forever,” “The Closest Thing to Heaven”), and the ticking clocks leading into the title track (“Time”), the album captures the movement of life through joyful experiences, unexpected heartache, struggle and love. Time also features Lionel Richie performing “Lady,” which he originally wrote and produced for Kenny Rogers, who made it a No.1 hit in 1980. Bonus tracks premiering on digital streaming services on June 25 include the international bonus track, “There’s A Place;” various remixes of the title song from Paul Waterman and Andrew Frampton, Todd Terry and more; a rare, sought-after “Hustler’s Convention DMC Mix” of Lionel Richie’s iconic “All Night Long (All Night); and live tracks recorded in Milan in ’98.

With more Island releases to be announced, UMe continues to showcase Lionel Richie’s solo career with new HD remastered videos from across his impressive catalog premiering on his official YouTube channel. The HD version of the hit single “Hello,” which topped three different Billboard charts during its initial 1984 release from the Diamond-certified Can’t Slow Down album, has reached 14 million views in five months. Additional HD remastered videos include “Penny Lover,” the final single from Can’t Slow Down, available now; and Lionel Richie’s live performance of “Easy” at the legendary New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, the city’s first after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, May 7, 2006, which will premiere May 21, in time for the fourth-season finale of ABC’s American Idol, scheduled for May 23.

About Lionel Richie
International superstar Lionel Richie has a discography of albums and singles that are second to none. His music is part of the fabric of pop music. With more than 125 million albums sold worldwide, an Oscar®, a Golden Globe®, six Grammy Awards®*, the distinction of MusicCares Person of the Year in 2016, and Kennedy Center Honoree in 2017. In March 2018, Richie put his handprints and footprints in cement at the TCL Chinese Theatre IMAX in Hollywood, one of the oldest awards in Hollywood. He recently received the Ivor Novello PRS for Music Special International Award. The Tuskegee, Alabama native is a true music icon.

Watch The Trailer For “Tiny Tim: King For A Day” Narrated By Weird Al Yankovic

Music

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Apr 15, 2021

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Watch The Trailer For “Tiny Tim: King For A Day” Narrated By Weird Al Yankovic

Narrated by Weird Al Yankovic, TINY TIM: KING FOR A DAY is a biographical doc about a musician who is not only well known for hits such as Tip Toe Through The Tulips but for his trail blazing personae that paved the way for other rock stars such as David Bowie, Prince, Iggy Pop and Boy George.

Tim Hicks, Robyn Ottolini, Sacha to Perform at the 9th Annual CMAOntario Awards

Music

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Apr 15, 2021

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Tim Hicks, Robyn Ottolini, Sacha to Perform at the 9th Annual CMAOntario Awards

The Country Music Association of Ontario is excited to announce Tim Hicks, Robyn Ottolini, Aaron Allen, Sacha, and more as part of an initial list of performers for the CMAOntario Awards on Sunday, May 30 at Ancaster Fairgrounds in Hamilton. The CMAOntario Festival & Awards Weekend will host three drive in concerts at Ancaster Fairgrounds May 28 – 30, 2021 including the Legacy Revival, the New Faces Showcase & Concert, and the 9th Annual CMAOntario Awards.

Hosted by Jason McCoy and Beverley Mahood, the CMAOntario Award Show will close out the CMAOntario Festival & Awards Weekend on Sunday, May 30 with performances and 18 award presentations at this drive-in finale. Presented by Slaight Music, the 9th Annual CMAOntario Awards will include performances by Tim Hicks, nominated for five awards at the 2021 CMAOntario Awards; Robyn Ottolini, nominated for five awards; Buck Twenty, nominated for four awards; Aaron Allen, nominated for two awards; Owen Barney, nominated for two awards; Sacha, nominated for the Rising Star of the Year Award; David Boyd Janes, nominated for Male Artist of the Year; Reney Ray, nominated for the Francophone Artist or Group of the Year Award; The Redhill Valleys, nominated for the Roots Artist or Group of the Year Award; and the CMAOntario Awards house band The Western Swing Authority, who are nominated for two awards.

Tickets go on sale Friday, April 23 at 12pm. Additional performers for the CMAOntario Festival & Awards Weekend, including the Legacy Revival on May 28 and New Faces Showcase & Concert on May 29, to be announced in the coming weeks.

CMAOntario is continuing with plans in the hopes of a positive turn in the current status of COVID-19, and will continue to work closely with partners in Hamilton to ensure the safe presentation of the drive-in concert events.

My Next Read: “Music Is History” by Questlove

Music

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Apr 15, 2021

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My Next Read: “Music Is History” by Questlove

In Music Is History, bestselling author and Sundance award-winning director Questlove harnesses his encyclopedic knowledge of popular music and his deep curiosity about history to examine America over the past fifty years. Choosing one essential track from each year, Questlove unpacks each song’s significance, revealing the pivotal role that American music plays around issues of race, gender, politics, and identity.

Music Is History focuses on the years 1971 to the present, not only the country’s most complex and rewarding half-century when it comes to the ways that pop culture and culturally diverse history intersect and interact, but also the years that overlap with Questlove’s own life. Music Is History moves fluidly from the personal to the political, examining events closely and critically, to unpeel and uncover previously unseen dimensions, and encouraging readers to do the same. Whether he is exploring how Black identity reshaped itself during the blaxploitation era, analyzing the assembly-line nature of disco and its hostility to Black genius, or remembering his own youth as a pop fan and what it taught him about America, Questlove finds the hidden connections in the American tapestry.

Complete with playlists organized around personal, playful themes that touch on everything from the relationship of hip-hop to music’s past to the secret ingredient in all funk songs, Music Is History is filled with and informed by Questlove’s preferences, perspectives, and particularities. It feels like both a popular history of contemporary America and a conversation with one of music’s most influential and unique voices.

Watch John Lennon and Yoko Ono Rehearse “Give Me A Chance” In This New Video

Music

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Apr 15, 2021

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Watch John Lennon and Yoko Ono Rehearse “Give Me A Chance” In This New Video

Before famously recording their legendary pacifist anthem “Give Peace A Chance” at their Bed-In for Peace at the Queen Elizabeth Hotel in Montreal on 31 May 1969, John Lennon and Yoko Ono rehearsed an early version of the song while at the Sheraton Oceanus Hotel in the Bahamas just days before, on 25 May.

The performance, which was captured by the Lennon’s film cameraman Nic Knowland and sound recordist Mike Lax, has never been released until now and is the earliest known recording of the song.

The video features John humorously ad-libbing lyrics for the verses before being joined by Yoko for the memorable chorus that became an anti-war anthem for a generation and which remains an enduring protest song more than 50 years later.

Originally set for New York, the second Bed-In was relocated to the Bahamas after John & Yoko were denied entrance into the U.S. because of John’s 1968 cannabis conviction. However, due to the layout of the hotel and the sweltering Bahamian heat, the couple flew to Toronto the following day and eventually settled in Montreal, chosen for its close proximity to New York and the American press, which they were hoping to use to get the attention of President Nixon.

The couple holed up in the hotel for a week where they gave unlimited access and endless interviews, in order that their extended honeymoon serve as a “commercial for peace.” The event culminated with the recording of John’s first solo single and the first to be credited to the Plastic Ono Band, “Give Peace A Chance.”

Surrounded by fans, Hare Krishnas and having spent the week with a host of notable friends and celebrities like LSD advocate Timothy Leary, singer Petula Clark, disc jockey Murray The K, comedian and civil rights activist Dick Gregory and comedian Tommy Smothers, who accompanied on acoustic guitar, John and Yoko performed the song in bed, dressed in their pyjamas and helped provide the soundtrack to a revolution.

Released just a month later in July 1969, backed with Yoko’s “Remember Love,” recorded that same night after their guests had left, the single reached No. 2 on the UK Singles Chart and No. 14 in the U.S. on the Billboard Hot 100, giving John his first hit outside of The Beatles.

Although originally credited to Lennon-McCartney due to his publishing agreemeent with Paul, John later revealed the song was written by him and Yoko and that she should have received the co-writing credit.